GJ News and Events

ASA/GIA to Offer Advanced Gemological Training

ASA is pleased to announce its partnership with the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) to offer advanced gemological training to gems and jewelry professionals.

A pilot course developed by GIA for ASA titled “Advanced Diamond Grading” will be held July 17-18 at GIA’s Carlsbad, CA flagship campus with instruction provided by GIA personnel.

“Continuing education is of paramount importance to practicing jewelry appraisers”, says Teri Brossmer, a Glendora, CA based gemological and valuation expert who holds ASA, MGA® and G.G designations. As education chair for the society’s gems and jewelry discipline, Brossmer adds “We strive to provide our members with the best jewelry appraisal education available and since GIA is the preeminent laboratory for diamond grading, this collaboration is a perfect fit. The subject matter covered in this course is immediately applicable to our daily practice as professional jewelry appraisers.”

The course will include clarity and color grading techniques employed in the GIA laboratories, followed by hands-on; mounted diamond grading considerations; identification of diamond treatments and synthetics; and ends with a tour of the Carlsbad laboratory.

Following the course, on July 19, an optional certification examination for the Master Gemological Appraiser® designation will be given. The MGA® program has been administered by ASA’s gems and jewelry discipline since 1993 and is the only one of its kind requiring periodic re-testing in gemological expertise. It is considered the highest designation in the field of gems and jewelry appraising.

Registration for this course has reached capacity. Please e-mail education@appraisers.org to be added to the waiting list. Tuition is $795 for ASA members and $895 for non-members. Registration for the MGA® examination is $150. For more information visit ASA online or call (800) 272-8258.